Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-22
Public Printing Office Changes.
MIR. BENEDICT PROPOSES PERMANENT REORGANIZATION

MIR. BENEDICT PROPOSES PERMANENT REORGANIZATION
OF THE OFFICE
AT the Government Printing ONCE yesterday
thirty compositors, who had been at work on the
Congressional Record, were assigned to other divi-
dOnS until the Record shall be resumed. Eleven
OF the Record force are retained at work to COM
pete the index of last session. In addition to the
assignment of the Record printers ten new ap-
pointments were made. A STAR reporter asked
Public Printer Benedict IL he could Indicate how
ma ear or changes may be IN
said that the work Of the Office fluctuates, and
that compels changes OF the force; that If he could
have his way he would make no discharges, but
would maintain regular force all the year round.
Mr.. Benedict added:
II am now putting the entire Office in the
dictates as the best for the public service have
not been able to sooner effect this organization
the demand for public work pressed upon me.
Now am taking each division of the office and am
putting 1t upon the most efficient basis practfca-
Dle MY OBJECT is to put the Office in a condition
to do the greatest quantity Of work, have that
work well done and at the smallest expense pos
Sible."
Mr.. Benedict said that he was compelled to make
provision for the Record force. That force he
said, Is trained in its work. and he could not afford
to let 1t diSband when Congress adtOurns for
then, at each session OF Congress- a Record force
Record stopped he had to make provision for its
force In other divisions OF the Office Mr. Benedict
said further: There are more printers at work
here to-day than ever before in the history of the
0nce Every rack In the office has printer stand
Ing before 1t. And yet, though there is larger
hundred less people on the rolls than when took
charge. There are more printers employed and
fewer dO-nOth1ngs."
TWENTY YEARS BEHIND THE TINES.
Speaking of the condition Of the Office and its
need OF new machinery, Mr.. Benedict said: "Why.
any printer would be astonished to see the con-
ditiOn OF this Office. 1t Is twenty years behind the
times, In the machinery OF some divisions. The
StereOtyp1ng room was without adequate factli-
tleS l;, ana nave Just put In new machinery which
Will enable us to do great deal more work. The
JOB rooms are in adeplOrable state. There is not
labor-saving rule in them, and in setting up
oes Tn te nnv men 60 10 Work cutting up new material
buy modern machinery Of the best kind for the
job rooms. asked Congress to make a specific
appropriation for machinery, boilers, ETC., but it
did not. But some OF the needs in this respect are
so pressing that must supply them out of the
fund for the maintenance OF the Office. 1 also
machinery, materials, etc., Congress should make
specific appropriations and thus avoid the neces-
sity OF providing such things out Of the regular
the law as it stands could take out every press In
the oilice and put in new ones paying the expense
out Oh tne M on tor public printing? Me
printer. suppose 1 should tear out every press
and put In new ones, thus using up the fund ror
it. All the foremen would say it was not neces-
sary, but would say that in my judgment it was
necessary. Congress and the public could condemn
my judgment but they could not impose any pen
atty upon me- for as the law stands the public prin-
ters judgmentiS is the only guide. Now do not think
that Is right. The fund for the maintenance OF
the Office should be kept and used for that pur-
pose; but, as have said, there some improve
ments here which are 1mperatively needed, and
comparatively small sum 1 can save at least
So 600 year in the job rooms in providing means
IOr facilitating work.
Mr.. Benedict could not Indicate Just what
changes might be deemed necessary In efrecttng
the reorganization OF the force but he did say that
would be ordered.